Smart meters, long considered a cornerstone of modern utility management, are finally being rolled out at scale.
The goal:
To increase market penetration from today’s modest 6–7% to 80% within five years.
It’s an ambitious target. But with barely a month into the first year of this timeline, it’s clear that the path ahead is far from straightforward. Many water companies have yet to communicate a plan. Some are still undecided on their approach, let alone begun procurement or deployment. The sector is talking about opportunity, but few are acknowledging the scale of the challenge.
As a company that prides itself on positive, forward-thinking engagement with the industry, we recognise that this is one area that warrants more scrutiny. There is a significant amount of detail still to be resolved, and time is short.
Customer impact
For our customers, particularly multi-site organisations, this rollout will be both disruptive and complex. Having visibility and control over how and when meters are installed is critical. Without that, there’s a real risk of operational disruption and missed opportunities. We are already working closely with clients to help them navigate this landscape, liaising with retailers and wholesalers, assessing estate readiness, and providing strategic guidance at every step.
Installation is only part of the story – data is the key
The real value of smart meters lies in the data they generate. If this data is only used to provide more accurate billing, then we are under-utilising one of the most powerful tools in water management. Understanding when and where water is being consumed enables organisations to drive efficiencies, identify anomalies, and make informed decisions to support sustainability and resilience objectives.
Critically, the assumption that data from smart meters is inherently accurate needs to be challenged. Good practice around data validation and verification is key. These processes cannot be set aside simply because the meter has changed.
Another issue that cannot be ignored is access to data. In many cases, customers are being charged by water companies for visibility of their own consumption data. Having already paid for the meter and its installation, it is difficult to justify further charges to access information that should be freely available.
This data belongs to the customer, and in the context of net zero, climate risk and water scarcity, withholding it is counterproductive to national sustainability ambitions.
Our smart metering view
Waterscan has long advocated for data transparency and customer empowerment. We believe that smart meter data should be accessible by default, not at additional cost. This is central to enabling organisations to take ownership of their consumption, track progress against targets, and respond proactively to issues as they arise.
The smart meter rollout represents a step change for the water industry. It brings with it a once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernise, to unlock new insight, and to drive meaningful progress in how we manage water. But that opportunity can only be realised if we are honest about the challenges, and proactive in how we approach them.
Barry Millar
Chief Operations Officer, Waterscan
Want to understand the impact of the smart metering roll out on your organisation? Let’s optimise your data and metering strategy together…
